Ammunition hoist



Jufiy 9, W46, R. L. TWEEDALE AMMUNITION HOI ST Original Filed Oct. 5, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR July 9, 1946. R. L. TWEEDALE 2,403,887

AMMUNITION HOIST Original Filed Oct. 5, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR y 1946. R. L. TWEEDALE) 294mm? AMMUNITION HOIS'I Original Filed Oct. 5, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 g iakamm INVENTOR ZM 4 TM y 19%. R L. TWEEDALE 2,403,887

AMMUNITION HQI ST Original Filed Oct. 3, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR MKM July 9, 1946. R T E 2,403,887

AMMUNITION HOIS'I I Original Filed Oct. 3, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1946- R. L. TWEEDALE jwqjag gg v AMMUNITION HOIST Original Filed Oct. 5, 195 s 7 Shams-Sheet 6 i FI E INVENTOR MZW July 29%.

AMMUNITION HOIST Clriginal Filed Oct. 3, 1936 '7 Sheets-Shet 7 INVENTOR WLW R. L. TWEEDALE 2,403,871

Patented July 9, 1946 AMMUNITION HOIST Ralph L. Tweedale, Waterbury, conn assignor to The Waterbury Tool Company, Waterbury, Conn, a corporation ofConnecticut Application October 3, 1936, Serial No. 103,899 a Renewed October 28, 1939 A 17 Claims.

This invention relates to power transmissions and more particularly to a conveyor for delivering articles from one station to another wherein a fire hazard is present at one station and in which it is desired to prevent the possibility of flame transmission between the two stations at all times, while permitting the continued passage of articles between the stations. The invention is particularly adapted to delivering ammunition aboard ship from an ammunition storage compartment to a position at the guns for use therein, although it will be understood that the invention may be adapted to other uses wherein similar conditions and problems are encountered.

It is customary in war vessels to locate the ammunition magazines or storage chambers in the lower part of the ship where the possibility of their contents being exploded by enemy projectiles is most remote. The guns which use the ammunition being situated on the upper decks of the ship, either in turrets or on deck mountings, it is necessary to provide means for conveying ammunition from the magazine to a position-near the guns where it may be readily placed in the guns as needed.

Various types of conveyors have been heretofore provided for this purpose and where high rates of delivery to rapid firing guns are required, the so-called dredger type ammunition hoists have marked advantages over other types in use. Such a hoist usually comprises an endless chain conveyor which is encased in a continuous tubular hoist trunk or casing extending through the ship from the loading station in or adjacent the magazine to the unloading station adjacent the gun. This continuous hoist trunk provides a conduit which introduces the possibility of flame transmission to the magazine whenever accidental explosions occur at the gun or whenever an enemy projectile explodes in or near the hoist trunk.

In order to break this continuous path for flame travel to the magazine, it has been found necessary heretofore to deliver the ammunition in two stages by two entirely independent ammunition hoists with a transfer station where the ammunition is carried manually from the delivery end of the lower hoist to the loading end of the upper hoist. This construction, while satisfactory from the standpoint of safety of the installation and effectiveness to prevent the transmission of flare-backs to the magazine, adds considerably to the weight and cost of the installation since each of the two sections of the hoist must be provided with its own independent drive mechanism. Furthermore additional crew is required for handling ammunition at the transfer station, which not only increases the number of 7 men required for each gun to be fired but presents also a retarding element in the delivery of ammunition since it introduces one more place .for unavoidable human errors and delays to interfe'rewith the intended operation of the hoist.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyor system particularly adapted to rapid delivery of ammunition between a loading station adjacent .the magazine and an unloading station adjacent the gun by which ammunition may be delivered through two conveyors in end to end relation together with automatically operating transfer means for transferring ammunition between the conveyors. g

It is a further object to provide sucha conveyor system in which ammunitionmay be automatically transferred between the two conveyors while maintaining a flame-proof wall between the two ends of the conveyor system.

A further object is to provide a conveyor-'sys tem incorporating a transfer mechanism wherein a rotary cylinder is provided for transferring articles between the conveyors and to provide suitable automatic drive mechanism for operating the conveyors and the transfer mechanism in timed relation. 7

It is also an'object to provide a conveyor system of the type described wherein a control mechanism for the two conveyor drive mechanisms is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at the ends of the conveyors.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings;

Fig- 1 is. a diagrammatic cross section of a ship embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the hydraulic circuits incorporated in the driving and control mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section of a transfer station incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section through the transfer station. r Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross H section on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 showing the opposite side of the mechanism.

Fig, '7 is a cross section on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 88 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the interlock control mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is indicated diagrammatically a portion of a longitudinal section of a war Vessel having superimposed decks l and E2 of usual construction, the deck I?! being constructed of armor plate. The spaces between the decks are divided into suitable compartments by partitions [4 in any suitable fashion. Indicated at I5 is a deck gun adjacent which is mounted the delivery end l8 of a conveyor system 26 extending between the gun I6 and a compartment 24 which may be either a magazine compartment for the storage of ammunition or a handling room adjacent such a compartment. Within the compartment 24 is located a loading station 26 of any suitable construction forming the lower terminus of the conveyor 26. The conveyor system 126 comprises two dredger type ammunition hoist sections 23 and 36 arranged in end to end relation at a transfer station 32. The transfer station 32 is located immediately below the armor deck and includes driving and control mechanism for operating both the hoist sections 28 and 36 and the transfer mechanism inside the transfer station 32.

Referring now to Figs. 2 through 9 wherein the construction of the transfer station 32 is illustrated in detail, there is shown a casing 34 forming the lower end of the hoist section 28 and the upper end of the hoist section 36 to which the casing 34 may be tightly sealed at the flanges 36 and 36. The casing 34 serves not only to enclose the drive sprockets 46 and 42 and the hoist chains or conveyor bands 44 and 46 to which are attached carrying lugs 48 and 50, but also as a mounting for the hoist driving and control mechanism. The latter may be of any suitable construction. The drive mechanism illustrated and. control therefore comprises a fluid motor 52 adapted to drive the sprockets 46 and 42 through wormdrives 54 and 56, the latter being connected in driving relation by gearing 5'1 and shaft 59. A variable displacement pump 58 (see Fig. 2) and an auxiliary pump 66 are driven by an electric motor 62 to supply fluid to the motor 52- through a control unit 6%. The control unit 64 is constructed to control the displacement of the pump 56 and to control communication between the pump 58 and the motor 52 through conduits 66 in a manner to provide for automatically moving the hoist chains 44 and 46 through one flight whenever a starting shot of fluid from the auxiliary pump 60 is admitted to the device 64 through a control conduit 68.

For this purpose the control unit 64 comprises a body 4| having a cylindrical bore 43 in which is mounted a spool valve 45 for the purpose of blocking or opening the passage of oil between the conduits 66 and conduits 41. A second cylindrical chamber 49 carries a spool valve 5| for the purpose of reversing the flow between the conduits 41 and a pair of conduits 53 which lead to the fluid motor 52. The body 4| also has at its upper end a bore 55 in which is mounted a spool valve 56 for controlling the stroke regulating fluid motor of the pump 58. A conduit 58' extends from the auxiliary pump 60 to the upper end of the bore 55 while a conduit 6| enters the bore 55 at its mid-portion. The valve 56' is adapted to selectively control and reverse the connections of the conduits 58' and 6| with a pair of conduits 63 and 65 leading to opposite ends of the stroke regulating mechanism at the pump 58 The valves 45 and 56 are formed integrally upon a common stem having an enlarged portion 61 around which is slidably mounted a lift piston 69. The latter has a cylindrical upper portion H slidably fitted in a chamber 13 which communicates with the upper end of the bore 55 through a passage 15 formed in the spool of valve 56'. The piston 69 has a portion 11 of larger diameter than the portion 1| and slidably fitted in a chamber '19 to which the conduit 68 leads. The bottom wall of the piston 69 is provided with an opening forming a clear passage around the stem of valve 45 and having a seat on which the enlarged portion 61 of the stem is adapted to rest for the purpose of closing this passage. The space inside the piston ll communicates with the tank through a passage Bl formed in the stem of the valve 45. At its lower end the valve stem has a roller 83 acting as a follower for a cam 85. The latter is connected by a suitable drive means not shown to the shaft of the. sprockets 46 so that the cam 85 makes one revolution while the chains 44 and 46 travel through one flight distance. Th e cam 65 has a depression in which the roller 83 is shown at rest. In this position the valve 45 is completely closed while the valve 56' connects the conduit 63 to the pressure line 58f and the conduit 65 to the tank line 6|. To either side of this depression are elevated'portions 81 which hold the valves in such a position that the valve 45 is opened to a considerable degree while the valve 56' still connects conduit 63 with conduit 58' and conduit 65 with conduit 6|. The remainder of the periphery of the cam 85 is raised still further so as to completely open the valve 45 and to reverse the connections at the valve 56. When the valves are raised to this upper extreme position the valve stem has been liftedhigher than it is possible to lift the piston 69, so that the enlarged portion 61 lifts away from the seat in the bottom wall of the piston 69. The cam 85 and its drive mechanism are enclosed in a suitable oil-tight housing not shown, the interior of which is connected to tank.

The entire arrangement of the control unit- 64 is such that whenever a shot of oil is admitted through the conduit 68 to the chamber 19, the piston 69 is lifted due to the enlarged portion 6'! being on its seat in the bottom wall of the piston 69. The piston 69 and both valves 45 and 56' are accordingly lifted to a position just shortof the highest position to which the cam would lift them. Thus the valve 45' is opened and the valve 56 is reversed to cause the stroke. of the pump 58 to be increased at a rate determined by the volumetric capacity of the auxiliary pump 60. Oil is delivered to. and returned from the fluid motor 52 through the conduits 66, 41, and 53, thus causing the motor 52 to operate, turning the cam 85. The latter will contact the roller 83 after about one-quarter of a revolution when the highest part of the cam strikes the roller 83, thus lifting the valves 45 and 56 a further amount. This additional lift raises the enlarged portion 6'! off from the seat in the bottom wall of the piston 69, thus permitting the oil trapped in the chamber T9 to esoape through the opening in the bottom wall of the piston 69 and through the passage 8! to tank. As soon. as the cam has completed an approximate one-half revolution in addition, the roller 83 dropsdown to the camportion 81,'thus reversing connections at Valve 56 but not completely closing the valve 45. v The stroke of the pump 58 is thus reduced at a rate determined by the capacity of pump 68 causing the motor 52 to decelerate. When the cam;85 has completed a revolution, the roller 83-returns to the position shown in the drawings, completely closing the valve 45. At this time the enlarged portion 61 again comes to rest on its seat in the bottom wall of piston 69, thus placing the apparatus in condition for restarting whenever another shot of oil is introduced to the conduit 68. It will be noted that should a shot of oil be introduced to the conduit 68 before the cam 85 has made one revolution, the lift piston 69-wi1l not rise because a free path is opened from the chamber 19 to tank through the passage in which the enlarged portion 61 seats. It will also be noted that oil pressure from the auxiliary pump is constantly exerted over the upper end of the valve 56' creating a bias for the entire stem assembly in the downward direction. Likewise this pressure is exerted over the annular area at the top of the portion H of the lift piston 69 biasing the latter downwardly whenever pressure is relieved in the chamber 19 by the opening of the passage through the bottom wall of the piston 69.

The casing 34 is provided on its front face above the sprockets 42 with an extension 18 having an opening 12 of proper size and shape to permil; a piece of ammunition to pass therethrough. The extension 18 is hinged to the casing 34 at 14 along one edge thereof and is adapted to be clamped in sealing engagement therewith by'suitable securing means 16. The extension-18 is formed with a cylindrical recess 18 within which is mounted a transfer cylinder 88. The cylinder 88 is pivoted on bearings 82 at the top and bottom ends thereof, the upper bearing being mounted in a removable cap member 84 rigidly secured to the extension 18. The cylinder 88 is provided with recesses 86 and 88 of suitable shape to receive a piece of ammunition Within the confines of the cylinder so that the latter may rotate between the position illustrated and a position 180 away in which the recess 86 is in register with the opening 12 and the recess 88 is opposite the chain 44.

The lower end of the cylinder 88 has secured thereto a shaft 98 which carries a pinion 92 for driving the shaft 98 through a slip clutch mechanism 94. The latter mechanism is of any "suitable type arranged to yield upon the'application of excessive torque and to have two positions 180 apart in which the clutch is effective to drive the shaft 98. The pinion 92 engages with a segmental gear 96 formed on arm 98 pivoted at I88 at the bottom of the extension 18. The pivot I88 is embraced by flange portions I82 (Fig. 8) of a closure member I84 which is secured to the bottom of the extension 18 by bolts I86 and which closes an opening I88 formed in the casing 34 above the sprockets 42. The opening I88 is of suitable size and shape to permit the pinion 92 and clutch mechanism 94 as well as the arm 98 to pass therethrough when the extension 18 is swung away from the casing 34 on its hinges 14. Outside the casing the arm 98 carries a depending pin H8 adapted to seat in a groove II2 formed on a cam H4. The cam H4 is rotatable on a shaft I I6 secured in aboss M8 on the :extension 18 in line with the pivots of the hinges 14. The cam I I 4 has secured thereto'a bevel gear- I28 and a pair of wing cams I22 and I24. A bevel pinion I26 is keyed to a shaft I28 projecting into. the casing of the worm drive 54 on the interiorofwhich theshaftyl28 carries a bevelgear I38 meshing with a bevel gear I32.' Thedatter securedito-aspur'gear I34 meshing with a spur gears-J38 secured to a shaft I38 for'the sprockets Pivotally mounted in the casing 34 adjacent the extension '18'are a pair of barriers or flapper veyor chain 44 when the doors are in the position illustrated. The doors I48 are secured to pivot shafts I42 which extend below the bottom of the extension 18 and carry arms I44 connected by a cross shaft I 46 for simultaneous operation. One

- of the shafts I42 extends below the bulged portion I41 of the casing 34 and projects outside thereof, and carries secured to its lower end a trip arm I48 extending into the path of the wing cam I22 whereby the latter may swing the doors I48 open at certain times. Spring means, not shown, are provided for normally maintaining the flapper doors in the position illustrated. The other pivot shaft I 42 (Figure 4) carries at its lower end and within a bulged portion I49 of casing 34 a cam I50 adapted to actuate through a roller follower I52, a lever I54 pivoted in the casing 34 at I56. Outside the casing the lever I 54 is connected to actuate a stem I 58 of a flapper door interlock valve I 68 (see Fig. 2) whenever the flapper doors I are open. a

Pivotally mounted in the casing 34 above the sprockets 42 is. an ejector arm. I62 which carries at its outer end a latch I64 adapted to permita piece of ammunition such as I66 to move up wardly past the arm I62 when the arm is in the position shown in Fig. 4. The arm I62 is secured to a shaft I68 (Figure 7) which carries at its out ward end a depending trip lever I18 adapted to be actuated'by the wing cam I24. A stop pin I12 limits the downward movement of the arm I62. The portion of the casing 34 which surrounds the sprockets 42 is formed with an opening I14 in the top thereof through which ammunition is deliv-- ered by the carrier lugs 58. Stationary guide members I16 are formed adjacent the opening I14 on either side of the path of the ejector arm I62 for guiding ammunition into the opening I14. A removable cover member I18 is secured to the extension 18 and to the casing 34 when the former is secured in the position shown in the drawings. A pair of pivoted latches I88 (Fig.8) are secured in the cover I18 adjacent the opening I14 to retain ammunition which is delivered through the opening I14and prevent its return therethrough.

Pivotally secured in the casing 34 below the opening I14 is an upper trip member I82 for the lower hoist section 38 which is connected through a shaft I84, lever I86, link I 88 and lever I98 to a cam I92 adapted to actuate an interlock valve I94 (see Fig. 2). Pivotally mounted. in the. casing 34 at I96 is a lower trip I98 for the upper hoist section 28 which is adapted to actuate through a lever 288, an interlock valve 282. The lever 288 may also be actuated manually bythe handle portion thereof if necessary. The lower trip I98 is adapted to be depressed by a piece of ammunition such as 284 when it is placed in po-- sition on the hoist chain 44. A solenoid operated interlock valve 286 is mounted together with the interlock valves I68,v I94, and 282 in an interlock valvebody/288. Thevalve 282 is adapted to con-' nect a'conduit 2| 8 with a. conduit 2| 2 whenever the lower trip I98 is depressed and to connect a conduit 2I4 with a conduit 2I6 whenever the trip I98 israised by the removal of a piece of ammunition therefrom. The valve I94 is arranged to connect the conduit 2I2 with a conduit 2I8 whenever the upper trip I82 is released by the removal of ammunition from the upper end of the lower hoist section 36 and to connect conduits 2I6 and 2I8 when a piece of ammunition lies under the trip I82. The valve 2ll6is adapted to connect conduit 2I8 and a conduit 220 whenever a solenoid 222 is energized and to block communication therebetween when the solenoid is dee ergized. The valve I60 is adapted to open communication between the conduit 220 and conduit 68 whenever the flapper doors I48 are closed and. to interrupt communication when the flapper doors are open.

The solenoid 222 is under the control of an upper-trip 224 for the upper hoist 28, a lower trip 226 for the lower hoist 30 and a flapper door cam 228 at the loading station 26 as well as a reverse lever 230; For this purpose the upper trip 224 actuatesa three-way switch 232: the lower trip 226 actuates a three-way switch 234; the cam 228 actuates a make and break switch 236; and the reverse lever 230 actuates a pair of three-way switches 238 and 248. The lever 23!! also actuates a reverse interlock valve 242 for connecting a conduit 244 leading from the auxiliary pump 68 either to the conduit 2H] or the conduit 2I4. The main reverse valve 5| within the control unit 64 is also simultaneously controlled by the reverse lever 23!] whereby the connection between the pump 58 and the fluid motor 52 may be reversed for operating the hoist to lower ammunition.

Referring now to Fig. 9 the electrical circuit for the switch system which operates the solenoid 222 is illustrated. The position of the various switches illustrated in Fig. 9' corresponds to the position of their operating parts illustrated in Fig. 2. From this it will be seen that with the reverse lever 238 in position for hoisting ammunition as shown in Fig. 2, the solenoid 222 is energized' only when the flapper doors 228 are closed, the lower trip 226 is depressed by a piece of ammunition, and the upper trip 224 is released by the removal of ammunition from the delivery end I8. With the reverse lever 236 in the lowering position the solenoid 222 is energized only when the lower flapper doors are closed, when there is no ammunition on the lower trip 226, and when a piece of ammunition has been placed in the delivery end I8 to deflect the upper trip 224. The complete electric and hydraulic interlock system is thus effective, when the reverse lever 230 is set for hoisting, to admit fluid from the auxiliary pump 68 to the control unit 64 through conduit 68 only when both the flapper doors I48 and the flapper doors at the loading station 26 are closed, when there is no ammunition in the delivery end of both hoist sections 28 and 30, and when there is a piece of ammunition in place on the lower trips I98 and 226. Only when all of these conditions have been fulfilled will an impulse of pressure fluid be supplied to the control unit 64 for starting the conveyor drive mechanism to operate. When the reverse lever 23!] is moved to lowering position, the reverse switches 238' and 240' reverse the response of the upper trip 224- and the lower trip 226 while the interlock ieverse valve 242 reverses the response of the lower trip I98 and the upper trip I82. Thus, it will be seen that for either direction of operahonor the hoist, it i necessary that for each hoist there must be a piece of ammunition present at the end which is used for loading and no ammunition present at the end to which it' is delivered.

In operation with the motor 62 and the pumps 58 'and60 running and with the hoist at rest due to the presence of a piece of ammunition at the delivery station I8, 't'rip' 224 keeps the solenoid 222 deenergized so that pressure fluid from the pump 60 is blockedoff from the conduit 68 at the valve 206'. Assuming a piece of ammunition to lie on 'the lower tr'ip I88 and a piece of ammunition to rest in the recess 88 and that a piece of ammunition has been manually loaded at the loading station 26 to rest on the trip 226 and the ammunition removed from the delivery end I8, fluid pressure will be admitted to conduit 68 and the motor 52 will drive the hoist chains 44 and 46. As soon as the chains '44 and 46 start to move the cams II4, I22 and I24 are caused to rotate by the gearing I20, I26, I36, I32, I34, and I36 and shaft I28. The gear ratio between shaft I38 and cam II4 is such as to produce one half a revolution of the cam II4 while the hoist chains 44 and 46 move through the distance of one flight.

During the initial movement of the chains the cam II4 moves through a dwell portion. Thereafter the cam II4 moves the arm 98 and pin II!) to actuate the pinion 92 and cylinder through half a revolution. The direction of rotation of the cylinder 86 is reversed on. alternate hoist cycles; that is, during one flight movement, the cylinder 66 may rotate" clockwise while during the next flight movement it will rotate counterclockwise. Considerably before the end of a flight, the cam II4 moves to a second dwell portion and thereafter-the cam I22 actu'at'es the trip arm I48 to open the flapper doors I40 and simultaneously the cam I24 actuates the arm I'IO to lift the ejector arm I62. The spacing between the adjacent lugs 59 issuch as to provide some overtravel of the lug 50 past the position shown in Fig. 4 before the next lug 56 comes into position'under the lower trip 226. The cams I22 and I24 operate during this additional movement at the end of a cycle and transfer the ammunition delivered by the hoist section 30 to the recess 88 and transfer the ammunition'in the recess 86 to position on the lower trip I98. Thereafter as soon as the piece of ammunition delivered to the delivery station I8 is removed and another piece of ammunitionis placed in the loading station 26, the hoist again operates through one cycle, the same as before.

If at any time during the operation of the hoist an accidental explosion should occur adjacent the gun or in the trunk of the hoist section 28 due to a hit by an enemy shell, the transmission of flare-backs o'r flame travel of any kind to the compartment 24 is effectively prevented at the transfer station 22. It will be noted that no matter what position of the cylinder 80, there is no path for flame to travel from the trunk of the hoist section 28 to thetrunk of the hoist section 30. The cylinder 80" forms a seal at the opening I2 by its engagement with the recess 18 and any gas pressure existing in the trunk of the hoist section 28 above the pressure in the.

trunk of the hoist section 38 tends to force the cylinder 86 into tighter engagement with the walls of opening 12. The are of contact of the recess I8 with the cylinder 80 is substantially greater than the arc subtended by the recesses 86 and 88; By this construction it is insured that the opening through which ammunition is 9. transferred from the hoist section 30 to the hoist section 28 is maintained sealed at all times.

For lowering ammunition the casing I18 is removed and the extension In and the mechanism carried thereby is unfastened at the fastenings I6 and swung outwardly from the upper section of the casing 34. This exposes the flapper doors I40 as well as the opening I I4 so that ammunition may be manually transferred from the hoist section 28 to the hoist section 30. During lowering operation the flapper doors I40 and those at the loading station 26 may be latched open by detent mechanism, not shown, for removing ammunition from the lower trips I98 and 226. During lowering operation the interlock system operates in the manner previously described to initiate operation of the hoist drive mechanism only when ammunition has been placed in the upper ends of both hoist sections and hasbeen removed from the lower ends thereof. The hoist may also be operated to raise ammunition should an accident befall the automatic transfer mechanism by swinging it outwardly as described for lowering operation since the action of the interlock system is independent of the position of the extension I0.

During operation with manual transfer during either lowering or hoisting the ejector arm I62 is preferably rendered inoperative by manually raising the same upwardly and inserting a holding pin through a hole 246 in the casing 34. A projection 248 adjacent the guide' I15 abuts a recess 250 on the latch I64 when the ejector arm I62 is raised sufliciently to permit the holding pin to be inserted underneath it through the hole 246. The lug 248 thus retracts the latch IIi I-fromthe path of the ammunition into and out of the hole I14. During operation with manual transfer while hoisting suitable detents 252 which are normally held in ineffective position by a handle retaining mechanism 253 may be rendered effective to prevent the fall of ammunition from raised position whenever the lug 5!) passes beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 4. v

When initially filling the hoist with pieces of ammunition if the latter has been completely emptied, it will be noted that the lower trip lever I98 will not be depressed during the first few cycles because there will be no piece of ammunition placed thereon until the lower hoist 45 has been completed filled from top to bottom. Under these conditions the lever 20!) (Figure 6) may be manually operated to simulate the presence of ammunition on the trip I98 and a cycle initiated in this manner. As soon as the first piece of ammunition reaches the transfer mechanism and is deposited on the trip I98, further manual operation thereof is unnecessary.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a conveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent a storage compartment and a station for use'the combination of a first endless band conveyor havinga delivery end adjacent the station for use a second endless band conveyor having a loading end at the loading station, said conveyors being arranged in substantially end to end relation, a flame-proof casing surrounding the first conveyor and transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first conveyor comprising a rotatable cylinder having an ammuage compartment and a station for use the com-' bination of'a' first endless band conveyor having a delivery end adjacent the station for use,'a secondendless band conveyor having a loading end'at the loading station, said conveyors being arranged in substantially end to end relation, a flame-proof casing surrounding the first conveyor and transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first conveyor comprising a rotatable cylinder having an ammunition receiving recess arrangedtoreceive a' piece of ammunition from the second conveyor'and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to line'of'movement of the conveyors to deliver the pieeeor ammunition to the first conveyor, said" cylinder cooperating with said casing to maintain a flameproof seal between the loading station and the station for use at all times.

3. In aconveyor system for delivering 'arnmu- .7

nition between a loading station adjacent a storagecompartment and a station for use the combination of a first endless band conveyor having a delivery end adjacent the station for use, a'second endless band conveyor having a, loading end at the loading station, said conveyors being arranged in substantially end to end relation, a flame-proof casingv surrounding the first conveyor, transfer means ,for transferring ammunition from thesecond conveyor to the first conveyor comprising a rotatable cylinder having an ammunitionireceiving recess arranged to receive a piece of ammunition from the second conveyor and uponrotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel t line ofmove ment of theconveyors to deliver the piece of ammunition to the first conveyor, and ejector means for moving ammunition from the second conveyor toward the ammunitionreceiving recess.

4. In a conveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent a storage compartment and a station for-use the combinationv of a first endless band conveyor having a delivery end adjacent the station for use, a

second endless band conveyor having a loading 7 end at the loading station, said conveyors being arranged in substantially end to end relation, a

flame-proof casing surrounding the first coriveyor, transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first conveyor comprising a rotatable cylinder having an ammunition receiving recess arranged to receive a piece of ammunition from the second conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an-axis generally parallel to line of movement of the conveyors to deliver the piece of ammunition to the first conveyor, ejector means for moving ammunition from the second conveyor toward the ammunition receiving recess, and means for operating said ejector means in timed relation to the operation of a conveyor.

5. In aconveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent a storage compartment and a station for use the'combina tion of a first endless band conveyor havingia delivery'end adjacent the station for use, a sec-v ond endless band conveyor having a loading endat the loading station, said conveyors being arranged in substantially end to end relation, a flame-proof casing surrounding the first, conveyor, transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first conveyor comprising a rotatable cylinder having an ammunition receiving recess arranged to receive apiece of ammunition from the second conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to line of movement of the conveyor to deliver the piece of ammunition to the first conveyor and means for operating said cylinder in timed relation to the operation of a conveyor.

6. In a: conveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent a storage compartment and a station for use the combination of conveyor means comprisinga plurality of endless band conveyors arranged in substantially end to end relation and extending between said stations, ammunition transfer means at the adjacent ends of said conveyors, means for driving the conveyors simultaneousl through a predetermined cycle of operation and control means for the driving means efiective to initiate operation ofthe conveyors only when a piece of ammunition has been loaded onto each conveyor band, at the loading end thereof and any ammunition brought to the delivery end of each conveyor has been removed.

7. In a conveyor system for delivering ammu nition between a loading station adjacent a. storage compartment and a station. for use the com.- bination ofconveyor means comprising a pinrality of endless band conveyors arranged, in substantially end to end relation and extending. be,

tween said stations, ammunition trans-fer means, at the adjacent ends of said conveyors, means for driving the conveyors simultaneously and the transfer means through a predeterminedcycle. of operation and control means for the d ivin means effective to initiate operation of the. conveyors onlywhen a piece of ammunition has been loaded onto each conveyor band at the loadin endthereof and an ammunition brought tothe delivery end or each conveyor has been removed.

8. In a conveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent. a storage compartment and a station for use the com bination of conveyor means comprising a, plurality of endlessband conveyors arranged i sub-. stantially end to end relation and extending between said stations, means for driving the conveyors simultaneously through a predetermined cycle of operation and control means for the driving means effective to initiate operation of the conveyors only when a piece of ammunition has been loaded onto each conveyor band at the loading end thereof and any ammunition brought to the delivery end of each conveyor has been removed.

9. In a conveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair of endless band conveyors arranged in substantially end to end relation. means forming a flame-proof wall between one of said conveyors. and one of said stations, said wall having an opening between the adjacent ends of said conveyors, and means associated with said opening for transferring articles-therethrough com-prising a rotatable cylinder having an article receiving recess arranged to receive an article from one conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to line of movement of 12 the conveyors to deliver the article to the other conveyor.

10. In a conveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair of endless band conveyors arranged in substantially end to end relation, means forming a flame-proof wall between one of said conveyors and one of said stations, said wall having an opening between the adjacent ends of said conveyors, means associated with said opening for transferring articles therethrough comprising a rotatable cylinder having an article receiving recess arranged to receive an article from one conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to line of movement of the conveyors to deliver the article tothe other conveyor, and ejector means for moving an article between one conveyor and th recess.

11. In aconveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair of endless band conveyors arranged" in substantially end to end relation, means forming a flame-proof wall between one of said conveyors and one of said stations, said wall having an opening between theadjacent ends of said conveyors, means associated with said opening for transferring articles therethrough comprising a rotatable cylinder having an article receiving recess arranged to receive an article from one conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to line of movement of the conveyors to deliver the article to the other conveyor, ejector means for moving an article between one conveyor and. the recess, and means for operating the ejector means intimed' relation to the operation of the conveyor.

12. In a conveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair of endless band conveyors arranged in substantially end to end relation, means. forming a flame-proof wall between one of said conveyors and one of said stations, said wall having an opening: be-- tween the adjacent ends of said" conveyors, means associated with said opening for transferring'articles therethrough comprising a rotatable cylinder having an article receiving recess arranged to receive an article from one conveyor and upon rotation through a predetermined angle about an axis generally parallel to lineof movement of the conveyors to deliver the article to the other conveyor, and means for operating the cylinder in timed relation to the operation of the conveyor.

13. In a conveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair of endless band conveyorsarranged in substantially end to end relation, means forming a flame-proof wall between one of said conveyors and one of said stations, said wall having an opening between the adjacent ends of said conveyors, means associated with said opening for transferring articles therethrough from one conveyor to the other and cooperating with said opening to maintain a flame-proof seal between said stations at all times, driving means for operating both conveyors and the transfer means in timed relation, and means for controlling operation of the driving means operable to initiate operation thereof only when an article has been placed on the loading end of one conveyor band, and any article delivered has been removed from the other conveyor band.

14. In a conveyor for delivering articles between two stations the combination of a pair oi endless band conveyors arranged in substantially end to end relation, meansforming a flame-prooi wall between one of said conveyors and one of said stations, said wall having an opening between the adjacent ends of said conveyors, means associated with said opening for transferring articles therethrough from one conveyor to the other and cooperating with said opening to maintain a flame-proof seal between said stations at all times, driving means for operating both conveyors and the transfer means in timed relation, and means for controlling operation of the driving means and effective to prevent operation of the conveyors in the event of failure of the transfer mechanism to properly transfer an article from one conveyor to the other.

15. In a conveyor system for delivering ammunition aboard a war vessel from a magazine below the armor deck to a gun above the armor deck the combination of an endless band conveyor having a delivery end adjacent the gun, a second conveyor having a loading end adjacent the magazine, a flame-proof casing surrounding the first conveyor and transfer means adjacent and below the armor deck and above the magazine for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first and cooperating with said casing to maintain a flame-proof seal between the magazine and the space above the armor deck at all times.

16. In a conveyor system for delivering ammunition between a loading station adjacent a storage compartment and a station for use the combination of a first conveyor having a delivery end adjacent the station for use, a second conveyor having a loading end at the loading station,

driving means for the conveyors, means for controlling the driving means and responsive to the loading and unloading of the conveyor for initiating a cycle of operation of the driving means, a flame-proof casing surrounding the first conveyor and transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first. conveyor and cooperating with said casing to.

maintain a flame-proof seal between the loading station and the station for use at all times.

17. In a conveyor system for delivering amconveyor, transfer means for transferring ammunition from the second conveyor to the first conveyor and cooperating with said casing to maintain a flame-proof seal between the loading station and the station for use at all times, and driving means for operating both conveyors and the transfer meansin timed relation.

RALPH L. TWEEDALE. 

